Anti-trust authorities globally have now ticked the approval box on the deal. The combined animal nutrition business is one of the largest in the world, with estimated sales of $3.5bn, said Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

The results of a study indicated that including fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FGBL) in the diet of broiler chickens improved gain to feed ratio, serum biochemistry and antioxidant function of the birds.